Amazon to launch iPad rival in October: Report

Online retail giant Amazon.com is all set to unveil a tablet computer by October, says a report. “Amazon plans to release a tablet computer by October,” The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a source. The tablet will have a roughly nine-inch screen and will run on Google’s Android operating system. The device will allow customers to watch videos, read electronic books and listen to digital music they purchase or rent from the online retailer, the report noted.  

Bombings expose India's counter-terror effort

In spite of massive investments in investigation and counter-terrorism intelligence capabilities since 26/11, police forces across the country have made little progress in identifying the perpetrators of the five major urban attacks which have taken place since then.The attacks include the February 2010 bombing of the German Bakery in Pune; the April 2010 serial bombings at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore, the drive-by shooting at Delhi's iconic Jama Masjid in September 2010, and the December 2010 bombing at the Shitla Ghat in Varanasi.

PSLV to put GSAT-12 in orbit on Friday

With the 53-hour countdown for the launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C17) commencing at 11.48 a.m. on Wednesday, the stage is set for the rocket's lift-off from Sriharikota at 4.48 p.m. on Friday.The PSLV-C17 will put in orbit communication satellite GSAT-12, which weighs 1,410 kg. It is a more powerful version of the standard PSLV, called PSLV-XL that will put the satellite in orbit after a 20-minute flight.

'Deshbandhu' - Chittaranjan Das

Chittaranjan Das (1870-1925), whose life is a landmark in the history of India's struggle for freedom, was endearingly called 'Deshbandhu' (Friend of the country). Born on November 5, 1870 in Calcutta, he belonged to an upper middle class Vaidya family of Telirbagh in the then Dacca district. His father, Bhuban Moban Das, was a reputed solicitor of the Calcutta High Court. An ardent member of the Brahmo Samaj, he was also well-known for his intellectual and Journalistic pursuits. 

Prime Minister to Inaugurate State Ministers of Welfare and Social Justice Conference Tomorrow. Implementation of Welfare Schemes Targeted at Scheduled Castes, Tribes, Disabled Persons and Senior Citizens Will Come up for Discussion.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh will inaugurate a two day conference of the State Ministers of Welfare and Social Justice at Vigyan Bhavan, tomorrow.On the first day of the Conference issues relating to Development of Scheduled Castes and OBCs will be discussed. Progress in the Implementation of Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989 and the Centrally sponsored Scheme will also be discussed. Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers, Implementation of revised Post Matric Scholarship Scheme, payment of scholarships to students on a regular basis, through Bank and Post Offices. The State Ministers will discuss progress of implementation and utilisation, status of release of funds receipts of proposals in 2011-12 and their sanction, Grievance Redress System for Scholarship Holders. The conference will debate on the Pending Utilization Certificates under Special Central Assistance and Data about beneficiaries who have been able to cross the poverty line. 

PMO moves ahead on affirmative action in the private sector, catalyses self regulation through Ombudsman

More than 1 500 companies in the private sector have adopted a voluntary code of conduct for implementation of affirmative action.The action hinges around four major points - Employability, Education, Entrepreneurship Development, and Employment (4E). The Chambers of Industry have reported that under the 4E Programme, 112702 persons have benefitted so far.

Union Finance Minister Calls for Strong Measures to Reverse the Ongoing Trend of Illicit Outflows from Developing Countries and Exploitation of their Natural Resources Through Abusive Transfer Pricing Schemes; Inaugurates two Day High Level International Seminar on “Adopting Tax System and International Tax Rules to the New Global Environment: a Shared Challenge for India and the Oecd”; India Oecd to Strengthen Ongoing Cooperation on Tax Related Issues Through three Year Partnership Programme

The Union Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee calls for strong measures to reverse the ongoing trend of illicit outflows from developing countries and exploitation of their natural resources through abusive transfer pricing schemes. Shri Mukherjee said that this abusive behavior is robbing developing countries of their scarce resources, which is required for financing of developmental programmes. The Finance Minister said that a recent report of global financial integrity outlines the illicit outflows from developing countries. The Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that we need to take strong measures to reverse this trend. He said that India and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development(OECD) can partner in this process. Shri Mukherjee said that transfer pricing continues to be an important tax issue due to high increase in cross border trade taking place within multinational enterprises located in developed, developing and undeveloped countries. He said that these challenges of new global environment will have to be addressed through bilateral and multi-lateral cooperation. Shri Mukherjee said that the emphasis of cooperation has to be on professional and skill up-gradation both in tax administration and in industry. He said that both India and OECD have been taking several steps to improve professional standard and competencies in these areas.

India 'disappointed' over Rana's acquittal in 26/11 case

Govt on Friday expressed "disappointment" over Tahawwur Hussain Rana's acquittal by a US court on charges of plotting the Mumbai attacks and said it will soon take a decision on filing a charge sheet against him and LeT operative David Headley in an Indian court.

NATO rejects Russia’s missile defence proposals

NATO has rejected Russia’s proposals for cooperation on a European missile defence, the Russian defence chief said even as both sides vowed to continue talks.“We have not received any positive and intelligible response. Our concerns have not been dispelled,” Russia’s Defence Minister Antoly Serdyukov told reporters after a ministerial-level meeting of the Russia-NATO council in Brussels on Wednesday. “NATO is not heeding for the moment Russian proposals on missile defences.”

NHRC makes assets of Balakrishnan public

The National Human Rights Commission has made public skeletal details of assets owned by its Chairman K.G. Balakrishnan showing there was no change in the moveable and immovable properties owned by him.According to details of his assets given by the NHRC in response to an RTI application, Justice Balakrishnan owns four properties in his name and one in his wife Nirmala Balakrishnan’s name. One property is a family-owned.

Apple plans new spaceship headquarters

Apple is planning a new headquarters shaped like a spaceship, which it hopes will be the best office building in the world.The ambitious plans were unveiled by Apple CEO Steve Jobs before the Cupertino City Council. Jobs broke into his indefinite medical leave to showcase the new design, which is planned to house 12,600 workers in a four-storey, ring-shaped building with a massive garden in its centre.

Mini spy satellites to track terrorists from space

The U.S. military will soon be using mini satellites called CubeSats, which can be quickly and inexpensively built and operated, to keep tabs on terrorists and other suspects.“Orbital assets can provide persistent, worldwide coverage — anywhere, anytime,” Discovery News quoted Wes Ticer, spokesman with the U.S. Special Operations Command at Florida’s MacDill Air Force Base, as saying.

Now, a new technique to detect onset of blindness

Scientists have developed a new technique, which they claim will help detect healthy people at risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide.Using standard clinical techniques, the detection of AMD has previously not been possible in the disease’s early stages. Doctors tend to diagnose AMD once small changes become visible at the back of a patient’s eye. However, degeneration begins many years before these clinical signs appear.

Research identifies treatment for ovarian cancer

An Australian-led clinical trial has been able to identify a promising treatment for the most common type of ovarian cancer.According to AAP report, the international trial tested whether a new medication known as olaparib could prevent the re-growth of ovarian cancer by extending remission after successful chemotherapy.

Nano gets into Sri Lankan taxi market

Tata Nano, one of the world’s cheapest car, on Thursday entered Sri Lanka’s lucrative taxi market with a fleet of 45 cars and an overload of passengers.A local company launched the service as an alternative to expensive air conditioned taxis, but more comfortable than the ubiquitous three-wheel taxi.

First batch of low cost computers ready

The first batch of 10,000 low cost access-cum-computing devices will be ready for distribution to the States later this month. The devices are in the process of testing.Launched under the National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, each device will cost Rs. 2,200. The learners will get it at a fifty per cent subsidy.

M.F. Husain passes away

M.F. Husain, one of the pioneers of modern Indian art and hailed as the "Picasso of India", died in a London hospital on Thursday after a heart attack. He was 95.Husain, who was forced to leave India in 2006 following death threats from right-wing Hindutva groups over his depiction of Hindu deities, had been living in London and Dubai. Last year, in an unprecedented gesture, Qatar offered him citizenship which he accepted though he insisted that India would always remain his "home" regardless of where he lived physically.

Prasar Bharati to negotiate out of court settlements

Litigation-riven public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has decided to set up a team to negotiate out-of-court settlements in the Rs. 400 crore worth arbitration issues it is involved in.Calling this a “decision of far reaching consequences”, the Prasar Bharati Board on Monday decided that a “special high-level negotiating empowered team” would take this up on a priority basis.

Bangalore to host 51st National Senior Athletic Championship

Bangalore will host 51st National Senior Athletic Championship from June 11 to 14 at Kanteerava Stadium. In a press conference on Thursday, the Vice President of Karnataka Athletics Association Dr. Ashwath Narayana informed that the four day Championship will be crucial for the Indian athletes attempting to qualify for Asian Championship at Kobe in Japan . Around 680 athletes from across India will showcase their talent in 44 events. International level athletes from India , winners of Asian Games and Commonwealth Games medals, will contest in the championship. Doordarshan has arranged live telecast of the event. 

Courtesy : AIR

Prithvi-II successfully test-fired

India on Thursday test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Orissa as part of the user trial by the Army."The missile mounted on a mobile launcher was test-fired from the launch complex-3 in the ITR at around 0905 hours", defence officials said on Thursday.With a maximum striking range of 350 km, the missile is capable of carrying a pay-load of 500-1000 kg warhead.

Beedi workers to get medical insurance benefits

About 55 lakh beedi workers will soon get medical insurance benefits under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) by 2013-14 under a proposal approved by the Union Cabinet on Thursday.A meeting of the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, decided to extend the insurance cover to the beedi workers spread across the country, with the government spending an estimated Rs 311.25 crore on it.

Govt lowers pension age limit for BPL category

An additional 72.32 lakh persons in the age group of 60-64 years and living below the poverty line will get pension benefits with the Government on Thursday lowering the age limit to 60.The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also decided to increase the rate of pension to persons of 80 years and above from Rs 200 to Rs 500.

Reaching Out to the Neglected Poor in Rural India National Social Assistance Program

One of the underlying philosophies behind the pro-people and pro --poor initiatives of the Government enjoins upon the State to undertake series of welfare measures.  Article 41 of the Constitution directs the States to provide public assistance to its citizens in case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement and in other cases of undeserved want within the limit of its economic capacity and development. Keeping in mind these basic principles the National Social Assistance Program was launched in 1995.

Sports Ministry Earmarks Rs 258.39 Cr for Preparation of Athletes under Opex 2012, London 28 Foreign Coaches and 32 Observers to Over See Preparations for Olympics Separate Three Member Committee to Ensure Diet and Nutrition & Oversight of Infrastructure and Food. Norms Put in Place for Time Bound and Speedy Clearance of Athletes for Training Abroad

The Sports Ministry has earmarked Rs 258.39Crore for preparation of athletes under “Project Opex 2012” for London Olympics. This was announced by Shri Ajay Maken , Minister of State ( I/C) for Youth Affairs & Sports at a press conference here today.

Nanavati panel rejects Sanjiv Bhatt’s plea against cross examination

The Nanavati Commission, probing the 2002 riot cases, on Wednesday rejected the application of IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, challenging his cross examination by other parties, including the State government.Commission, comprising Retd. Justices G.T. Nanavati and Akshay Nanavati, in its order said that Mr. Bhatt had no problem when he was cross examined by an NGO Jan Sangharsh Manch (JSM), Central Relief Committee and the Congress Party.

China urges Philippines to stop harming its rights in South China Sea

China has urged Philippines to stop harming its rights and interests in the South China Sea. In a statement, Philippines authorities said on Saturday that Chinese vessels were hampering legitimate activities by Philippine fishermen, undermining the peace and stability of the region. Responding to the statement, Chinese Foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei has said the Philippines government should stop publishing irresponsible statements that do not match the facts. He said Chinese vessels were carrying out scientific studies in waters under Chinese jurisdiction and acting in line with the law. Last week, Philippines authorities said Chinese ships had offloaded building materials and erected marker posts on reefs to the west of its island of Palawan, well within Manila's exclusive economic zone. Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said the action aggressively violated a 2002 agreement between China and its Southeast Asian neighbours governing conduct in the South China Sea.

Courtesy : AIR

Shri Vasan Flags off India’s First Cruise Liner “M.V. AMET Majesty”

Thiru G.K. Vasan, Hon’ble Minister of Shipping flagged off M.V. AMET MAJESTY, India’s first cruise liner and onboard training ship in Chennai today. On the occasion, the Minister stated that Cruise Shipping is one of the fastest growing segments in the leisure industry worldwide. The government is gearing up to increase the footfalls into India further in the coming years besides promotion of Indian flag cruises, including river cruises. The focus will be to showcase India as an attractive tourist destination for cruise tourists with its vast and beautiful coastline, virgin forests and undisturbed idyllic islands, rich historical and cultural heritage. The government also plans to ensure that the cruise shipping industry in India becomes internationally competitive and contribute to the economy in terms of generation of foreign exchange, income, employment and business opportunities.

Green India Mission to Increase Forest Cover

A 45,000 crore rupees huge programme to increase the country’s green cover is going to be launched soon. The 10 year long  programme named Green India Mission, GIM after a preparatory phase of one year will get going from 2012. Addressing a series of functions on the occasion of the World Environment Day on 5^th June this year, the Minister for Environment and Forests, Shri Jairam Ramesh said that the target is to bring 5 million hectares of forest and non-forest land under green cover and improve the quality of green cover on another 5 million hectare of non-forest land.

Prime Minister asks ministers to declare their assets including those of their spouses and dependents.

The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has asked ministers to declare their assets including those of their spouses and dependents along with any business interests, as per the annual exercise. The ministers have been asked to furnish the details by August 31st. A letter written by Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar to ministers on the 2nd of this month says that this has been desired by the Prime Minister as per the code of Conduct for Ministers.

India commissions its latest warship-INS Kabra

India's latest warship 'INS Kabra' was commissioned on Wednesday at Kochi Naval Base. This will add edge to Indian Navy in combating low intensity conflicts and anti-piracy operations. With a top speed of over 35 knots and maneuverability offered by her water-jet propulsion, the ship is ideally suited for high-speed interdiction of fast-moving targets and useful in search and rescue operations. AIR correspondent reports, INS Kabra complies with the latest regulations of International Maritime Organisation on sea pollution control.The ship has a crew of three officers and 39 sailors. INS Kabra is the eighth of a series built at Garden Reach Ship Builders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.

Courtesy : AIR

ED and Finance Ministry officials briefing JPC on 2G scam

Chief of Enforcement Directorate Arun Mathur and officials of the Finance Ministry are briefing the Joint Parliamentary Committee, JPC, on the ongoing investigations into the 2G scam today. Mathur, along with other senior officials of the Directorate and representatives of the Department of Revenue in the Finance Ministry, will also brief the JPC separately about the probe carried out in the spectrum scam which included obtaining the share holding patterns of various telecom firms from foreign shores like Mauritius and UK.

Govt to bring IT’s Intelligence, criminal investigation units under one umbrella

The Finance Ministry is bringing under one umbrella the intelligence and criminal investigation units of the Income Tax department to enhance prosecution powers to counter terror financing and check transactions that pose threat to national security. A top official in the ministry said in New Delhi on Wednesday, the department will now train and designate its officials in the rank of Inspectors as 'Special Agents' and 'Agents' (Criminal Investigation) while the newly-created Directorate of Criminal Investigation will be headed by the Director-General of Intelligence (Income Tax).

First ever Indian Premier League Kabaddi Championship

The first ever Indian Premier League Kabaddi Championship on the lines of IPL Cricket will be held at Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh from today. Addressing a press conference, Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India general secretary Jagadeshwar Yadav said the main objective behind of conducting IPL Kabaddi matches was to encourage youth to play the sport and ensure that Kabaddi is also included in ''Olympic Games''. 

Courtesy : AIR

Ramdev's 'political' agitation is backed by RSS: Govt

The Government hit back at Ramdev saying that his was a "political agitation which is fully backed by the RSS and its front organisations" and made it clear that it would not "allow anything that will trigger a conflagration".Home Minister P Chidambaram also disclosed that Government had decided in advance that if Ramdev goes on a fast-unto-death, he would be denied permission and told to move out of Delhi.That decision was not enforced earlier because the Government was engaged in a dialogue.

Make Agriculture More Competitive and Develop Mechanism to Address Climate Change: Shri Pawar More Emphasis on Anticipatory Adaptation Measures Needed Parliamentary Consultative Committee of Agriculture Ministry Meets

Agriculture has to become more competitive, efficient, and profitable and develop mechanism to reduce its vulnerability to climate change. Indian farmers, scientists and policy-makers have to address these issues in totality and develop strategies to increase adaptive capacity.

Modern Trolleys at Important Railway Stations for Senior Citizens and Women

As announced in the Railway Budget 2011-12, the Ministry of Railways has decided to extend the Rail Yatri Sevaks with modern trolleys to six more stations. These six stations are New Delhi (Platform No. 1 and 16), Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Thiruvananthapuram.

Free, compulsory education to be extended up to class X

The provision of free and compulsory education will soon be extended up to Class X. A proposal to this effect was approved at a meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education — the highest decision making body on education in the country — held here on Tuesday.The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, provides for free and mandatory education only up to primary level — from Class I to VIII.

Food price volatility to remain till next year: FAO

High volatility and price swings in food commodities are likely to prevail for the rest of this year and could continue into 2012, UN body Food and Agriculture Organisation on Tuesday said.“High and volatile agricultural commodity prices are likely to prevail for the rest of this year and into 2012,” Food and Agriculture Organisation said in a statement.

Great Indian Bustard on brink of extinction

The Great Indian Bustard is on the brink of extinction, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced on Tuesday.The Great Indian Bustard has been up-listed to ‘critically endangered,’ the highest level of threat, IUCN said in a release.Hunting, disturbance, habitat loss and fragmentation have all conspired to reduce this magnificent species to perhaps as few as 250 individuals, IUCN said.

TigerText leaves security agencies worried

At a time when the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is struggling to find a way to satisfy Indian law enforcement agencies (LEAs) on security issues related to BlackBerry smartphone, the Union Home Ministry has asked it to ensure that no mobile operator is allowed to offer a unique mobile application – TigerText – before getting clearance from the government and security agencies.

Post-Aila salinity defeats Sunderbans farmers

For thousands of farmers at Gosaba in the Sundarbans the coming monsoon does not hold out any hope as they continue to battle the extreme salinity of the soil caused by cyclone Aila two years ago.Adding to their agony is the lack of manpower as the area has experienced large scale migration since the natural calamity.

Afghanistan faces economic downturn: Senate report

Afghanistan is at risk of a deep financial crisis when foreign troops leave in 2014 if the United States is unable to overhaul its multibillion—dollar package of nation—building assistance, according to a congressional report that comes as President Barack Obama weighs the size and scope of the initial phase of a U.S. troop drawdown.

Finance Ministry sets up another panel on black money

Facing flak from civil society for not doing enough to deal with the menace of black money, the government on Wednesday announced the setting up of another panel to suggest ways to trace tax defaulters, reveal their identity to the public and recover taxes.The committee, set up by Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) in the Finance Ministry, will also look into the possibility of putting the list of “chronic defaulters” in public domain.

Hegde says govt. ‘preventing’ drafting of Lokpal Bill

Karnataka Lokayukta and one of the members of the Joint Committee for drafting Jan Lokpal Bill, Justice Santosh Hegde, on Wednesday alleged that the Government was ‘preventing’ the drafting of a strong anti-corruption Bill.Asked about civil rights activist Anna Hazare’s statement that his fight was not against the government, but against the system, Justice Hegde said on the sidelines of a function here that now, “There has to be a fight against the Government itself” as it was “preventing” drafting of the Bill.

South Korea hands high-level job to North Korean defector

South Korea has handed a high—level job to a North Korean defector.Wednesday’s appointment of Cho Myung—chul to the government—run Education Centre for Unification is part of Seoul’s efforts to put more resources into teaching South Koreans to prepare for the eventual reunification of North and South. Inter—Korean projects have been languishing and Seoul is trying to focus on the potential costs of a unified Korean peninsula.Mr. Cho’s new job is the most prominent South Korean government post that a North Korean refugee has ever taken. Media reports say he taught at Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung University and defected in 1994.

Courtesy : The Hindu

Cricket games in 3D

Nextwave Multimedia launches three cricket games in 3D, ‘World Cricket Championship', ‘Street Cricket' and ‘Beach Cricket'. With rich visuals, realistic animation and crisp camera movements, the game easily transports the gamer to the scene of action. It puts across the thrill, fun and high voltage drama of limited over cricket convincingly.

Ban Ki- moon announces official bid for a second term as UN chief

UN Secretary General Ban Ki- moon has announced his official bid for a second term as the UN chief. The secretary general made the announcement at a press conference at the UN Headquarters in New York on Monday following his meeting with the Asian Group of nations at the United Nations. He said, if supported by the member- states, he would be deeply honored to serve once more. Diplomats said, Mr. Ban sent a letter to both the 192-member UN General Assembly and the president of the 15-nation UN Security Council, the UN ambassador of Gabon who holds the rotating Council presidency for June, formally asking for the support to his candidacy for a second five-year term as the UN Secretary General. Ban's current mandate ends on December 31, and he has no declared rival for the post. The 66-year-old former South Korean foreign minister succeeded Kofi Annan in January 2007.

Russia officially agrees on disposal of excess weapon-grade plutonium

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has ratified the US-Russia agreement on the disposal of excess weapon-grade plutonium. The Kremlin press service today said that Russia intends to spend up to 3.5 billion U.S. dollars on the programme, which is seen as a continuation of the new Russian-U.S. Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) that slashes arsenals of each country to 1,550 strategic warheads. The report also said the United States is expected to spend some 400 million dollars on the programme. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signed in April 2010, a final agreement on eliminating excess weapon-grade plutonium from defense programs. Under the agreement, each side will dispose of 34 metric tons of excess plutonium, which is enough to create several thousand nuclear weapons. The programme is to be launched before 2018. The agreement was passed by the Russian State lower house of parliament on May 20 and upheld by the upper house on May 25, 2011. 

Courtesy : AIR

Boxing Tournament : India wins silver & bronze medals

In the 'Giraldo Córdova Cardin' Memorial Boxing Tournament at Havana, Cuba, the Indian team has settled for one silver and five bronze medals. The lone silver medal was won by Manpreet Singh in the 91kg category.The bronze medals winners were Nanao Singh (49kg), Suranjoy Singh (52kg), Santosh Harijan (52kg), Kuldeep Singh (75kg) and Paramjeet Samota in the 91kg division.

Courtesy : AIR

Rafael Nadal wins Men's Singles title of French Open

World number one Rafael Nadal won the Men's Singles title of the French Open Tennis Championships beating Roger Federer 7-5, 7-6, 5-7, 6-1 in Paris on Sunday. It was his 10th Grand Slam crown and he also equaled Bjorn Borg's record of six French Open titles. Top seed Nadal, who was also champion in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010, took his overall Paris record to 45 wins against just one defeat. The victory also meant he hangs on to his world number one spot. 

Courtesy : AIR

Foreign Secy level talks between India and B’desh begin

Foreign Secretary level talks between India and Bangladesh began in Dhaka on Tuesday, issues related to cooperation in counter terrorism, sharing of waters, transit facilities are high on agenda.Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao is leading the Indian delegation while Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes is leading his country's side.

Govt serious about fighting corruption; Police action at Ramlila Maidan was unfortunate

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the Govt is very serious about fighting corruption but there is no magic wand and further reiterated that police action at Ramlila Maidan was very unfortunate and there was no alternative.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Mondy gave away KC Kulish International Award for excellence in Media and journalism instituted by the Hindi daily.Singh further said that the issue of paid news is a serious concern.

Shri Kapil Sibal Addresses 58th Meeting of CABE; Proposes Extension of RTE up to Secondary Level Moots Bill to Control Malpractices in School Education

The world of the 21st century will be driven by the power of ideas. Knowledge capital generation will lead to wealth creation and removal of poverty. The youth of the country would have to be at the forefront for leading the nation to social and economic progress. This can be done by empowering the youth and children through education to harness the demographic dividend. This was stated by Shri Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Human Resource Development in his address at the inaugural session of the 58th meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE).